When should I seek patent protection?

The best time to seek patent protection is when your invention is fully ready for launch. This means that the design and process of your invention are completely finalized, and you are ready to bring the invention to the public. It is important to seek patent protection before actually launching your invention because the goal of obtaining a patent is to give you exclusive rights to the use and sale of your invention for a certain period of time. If you wait until after you launch your invention to seek patent protection, you may face challenges in doing so. This is because if you have already made your invention publicly available before filing for a patent, then your invention can no longer be patented as it is now considered “prior art”, which means that your invention is not considered innovative or new enough to be patentable. In California, you can seek patent protection for inventions in three steps. First, you must prepare and file a patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office. Second, you must complete the prosecution process, which includes responding to any objections the USPTO may have with your patent application. Lastly, if your application is approved, you must pay the necessary fees to have your patent issued. Once your patent is issued, you will have exclusive rights to the use, manufacture, and sale of your invention for a period of twenty years from the date of filing.

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When should I seek patent protection?

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